Dr. Death' recruits Indian lawyer to bail him out

Published: Friday, June 27, 2008, 17:50 [IST]

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Melbourne, June 27 : Dr. Jayant Patel, who is also known as Dr. Death' for fatally botching the operations of at least 16 patients, has hired Australian Indian lawyer to bail him out of the manslaughter charges that he is facing in Australia.

Brisbane solicitor Arun Raniga has also taken on Dr Patel's case, and visited his client in a Portland prison two weeks ago. Brisbane barrister Michael Byrne QC was also contacted by Dr Patel "a while ago'' to take on the case.

The 58-year-old US surgeon today signed a "consent to extradition'' form in the US District Court in Portland, Oregon, confirming he no longer wished to fight the Australian Government's attempt to extradite him to Queensland to stand trial.

According to The Australian, Dr. Patel is facing 16 charges stemming from his time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005, including three manslaughter charges relating to the deaths of patients.

A decision will be made tomorrow in the US District Court whether Patel receives bail while he awaits extradition, which could happen in the coming weeks.

Byrne said the exact timing of Dr Patel's return depended on events in the US. He said he will be applying for bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court when Dr Patel does return to the country.